Confocal microscopy and variable-focal length microlenses

Aaron M. Mac Raighne; Lisong Yang; L. Andrea Dunbar; Eithne M. McCabe; Toralf Scharf

doi:10.1117/12.528930

13 July 2004 Confocal microscopy and variable-focal length microlenses

Aaron M. Mac Raighne, Lisong Yang, L. Andrea Dunbar, Eithne M. McCabe, Toralf Scharf

Proceedings Volume 5324, Three-Dimensional and Multidimensional Microscopy: Image Acquisition and Processing XI; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.528930
Event: Biomedical Optics 2004, 2004, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Confocal microscopy has a unique optical sectioning property which allows three-dimensional images at different depths. Use of a microlens array is a potential alternative to the Nipkow disk for parallel imaging with high throughput in real-time confocal microscopy. The use of variable-focal-length microlenses can provide a way to axially scan the foci electronically avoiding the inflexible mechanical movement of the lens or the sample. Here we demonstrate a combination of a variable-focal-length microlens array and a fiber optic bundle as a way to create a high throughput aperture array that would be potentially applied as confocal imaging in vivo biological specimens. Variable focal length microlenses that we use consist of a liquid crystal film sandwiched between a pair of conductive substrates with patterned electrodes. The incident side of the microlens array was determined by examining the focus distribution in the axial direction. The variation of the focal length obtained by changing the voltage and corresponding focus intensity were measured through a conventional microscope. Meanwhile, the fiber bundle was characterized by coupling with either coherent or incoherent light source. We use the fiber bundle as both a multiple aperture and an image-carrying element and combine it with a microlens array to built up a confocal system. Axial responses are measured in two optical arrangements as a route to investigate endoscope potential.

Citation Download Citation

Aaron M. Mac Raighne, Lisong Yang, L. Andrea Dunbar, Eithne M. McCabe, and Toralf Scharf "Confocal microscopy and variable-focal length microlenses", Proc. SPIE 5324, Three-Dimensional and Multidimensional Microscopy: Image Acquisition and Processing XI, (13 July 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.528930

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KEYWORDS

Microlens

Confocal microscopy

Microlens array

Electrodes

Liquid crystals

In vivo imaging

Light sources

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